Absorber and method for producing it

ABSTRACT

According to the present invention, a water absorbent material and materials to be sucked included in a water permeable bag type member form a water absorber. Thus, the water absorber is small both in weight and volume upon its transportation, and accordingly, the water absorber can be rapidly conveyed in large quantities without depending on a human power. The water absorber absorbs water upon its use to adequately satisfy a function of a form traceability for weight, volume and outline.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.application Ser. No. 10/276,349, filed Feb. 19, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No.6,977,102, which is a 371 of PCT/JP02/02313, filed Mar. 12, 2002, whichclaims priority to Japanese Application Nos. 2001-70388, 2001-70389,2001-70390, 2001-70386, and 2001-70387, all filed Mar. 13, 2001, all ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference to the extent permitted bylaw.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a water absorber used for removingunnecessary water remaining due to water leakage or flood, etc., furthera water absorber having a function as a sandbag for raising anembankment or preventing and restoring the collapse of the embankment inthe overflow of rivers and a method for conveying it.

For water absorbers used for removing unnecessary water remaining due towater leakage or flood, etc., fibrous materials such as cloths have beenemployed. However, when a large amount of water needs to be removedbecause of the rupture of city water pipes due to the disaster ofearthquake, etc., a large-scale flood in a broad area due to a flooddamage, or the water leakage from the tanks of a factory and so on, theconventional water absorbers as mentioned above have not been providedwith sufficient water absorbing power.

The water absorbers having the functions of sandbags are made ofmaterials of construction for preventing the overflow of rivers, lakes,marshes, etc. in flood damages, and, for instance, linen bags filledwith soil have been conventionally used. Since both the weight andvolume of such conventional water absorbers are large, it has beendifficult to convey them. Accordingly, these water absorbers have beenmanufactured in a place near the spot. When a disaster happens, thewater absorbers having the functions of sandbags need to be rapidlyapplied to a necessary place at a necessary time. In most of theconventional water absorbers, however, the manufacture of them cannotmeet a desired amount of them. When the water absorbers are conveyedfrom a remote place, they need to be conveyed by using vehicles and ittakes labor to unload them. Further, the vehicles cannot possibly moveto the spot of disaster due to the break-down of roads. Under thesecircumstances, many life properties of the mankind may have been lost.

As described above, the conventional water absorbers employed forremoving unnecessary water remaining due to the water leakage or floodor the like, or the water absorbers having the functions of sandbags arelarge in both their weight and volume, so that it is troublesome totransport them. Thus, water absorbers small both in their weight andvolume and capable of being easily conveyed are eagerly demanded.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a water absorber forremoving unnecessary water or a water absorber having a function as asandbag which is small in its weight and volume upon transportation, canbe rapidly conveyed in large quantities using no human power, andabsorbs water upon its use to adequately satisfy a function of a formtraceability for the weight, volume and an outline.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a waterabsorber which can be repeatedly used by drying and has a formstability.

It is a still another object of the present invention to provide a waterabsorber in which the adhesion and breeding of microorganisms due to therepeated use can be suppressed.

It is a still another object of the present invention to provide a waterabsorber having a water absorbing property and water absorbing speedhigher than those of a conventional water absorber used for removingunnecessary water remaining due to a water leakage or flood, etc., or awater absorber having a function of a sandbag.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method forconveying a water absorber used for removing unnecessary water remainingdue to a water leakage or flood, etc., or a water absorber having afunction of a sandbag which can be rapidly and simultaneously conveyedin large quantities even to a risky place for persons to convey thewater absorbers.

It is still further object of the present invention to provide a waterabsorber suitable for a conveying method according to the presentinvention, that is, a water absorber for removing unnecessary water or awater absorber having a function of a sandbag which is small in itsweight and volume upon transportation, can be rapidly conveyed in largequantities without depending on a human power, and absorbs water uponits use to adequately satisfy a function of a form traceability for theweight, volume and an outline.

It is a still further object of the present invention to contribute to aglobal environment by utilizing, for instance, polymer wastes such asresins, or inorganic solid wastes such as metals or ceramics which havebeen hardly disposed as waste to obtain products with higher addedvalues.

The inventors of the present invention especially studied about thetransportation characteristics of the water absorbers, and accordingly,they obtained a knowledge that when materials to be sucked were providedtogether with the water absorbers, the water absorbers could be rapidlytransported in large quantities at a time without depending on the humanpower. For instance, when magnetic materials are used as the materialsto be sucked, the water absorbers can be rapidly conveyed in largequantities at a time by a crane or a belt conveyor by magneticallysucking the water absorbers. Further, the inventors recognized that whenthe inorganic solid wastes such as the metals or ceramics were employedas the materials to be sucked for reproducing resources, these materialscould advantageously contribute to a global environment, because theywere members hardly disposed in a dismantling step of parts ofelectronic devices.

The inventors of the present invention further eagerly studied toachieve the above-described objects, and accordingly, they obtained anunexpected knowledge that the use of a modified polymer compoundmanufactured by introducing an acidic group to a polymer compoundincluding acrylonitrile and styrene and/or conjugated dienes made itpossible to simultaneously achieve the above-described objects. That is,since the above-described compound has a water absorbing property andabsorbs water to gel, there can be provided the water absorber high inits functionality for removing unnecessary water or the water absorberhaving a function as a sandbag which is small both in weight and volumeupon its transportation and absorbs water upon its use to adequatelysatisfy the function of a form traceability for the weight, volume andoutline. Further, since the water absorber using the modified polymercompound as a water absorbent material has a water absorbing speedhigher than that of the conventional sandbag, this water absorber has anexcellent utility to meet an emergent use. Still further, the waterabsorber of the present invention can advantageously contribute to aglobal environment by using the polymer wastes such as resins which havebeen hardly disposed as waste to reproduce them as resources.

The inventors of the present invention further studied about the waterabsorber and thus obtained an unexpected knowledge that the salt wasformed with metal in the acidic group included in the modified compoundso that an antimicrobial property could be applied to the compound. Insuch a way, the antimicrobial property is applied to the water absorber,and accordingly, the adhesion and breeding of microorganisms resultingfrom the repeated use of the water absorber and the discoloration of thewater absorber or offensive odor caused therefrom can be suppressed.

Still further, as a result of the study about the improvement of thewater absorbing property and the water absorbing speed of the waterabsorber, the inventors found an unexpected knowledge that a surfaceactive agent was included together with the modified polymer compound sothat the wetness of the water absorber could be improved, andconsequently, the water absorbing speed could be improved.

Specifically, a water absorber according to the present inventionincludes a water absorbent material and materials to be sucked in awater permeable bag type member. As the materials to be sucked, magneticmaterials are used.

The water absorbent material includes as a main component, a modifiedpolymer compound manufactured by introducing an acidic group to apolymer compound including acrylonitrile and at least one or more kindsof styrene and/or conjugated dienes. Further, a supporter is included inthe water permeable bag type member. For the supporter, a flexiblenetwork member is employed.

Further, the water absorbent material includes, as a main component, amodified polymer compound manufactured by introducing an acidic group toa polymer compound including acrylonitrile and at least one or morekinds of styrene and/or conjugated dienes and the water absorbentmaterial is supported by the supporter.

The polymer compound including acrylonitrile and at least one or morekinds of styrene and/or conjugated dienes is obtained from wastes.

Further, in the water absorber according to the present invention, solidmaterials of specific gravity of 1 or higher are included in the waterpermeable bag type member. The solid materials of specific gravity of 1or higher are composed of natural minerals. Further, the solid materialsof the specific gravity of 1 or higher are composed of waste. Stillfurther, the solid materials of the specific gravity of 1 or higher areformed by binding waste.

The water absorbent material includes a salt forming modified polymercompound manufactured by introducing an acidic group to the polymercompound including acrylonitrile and at least one or more kinds ofstyrene and/or conjugated dienes to form a salt together with metal. Themetal is one or two or more kinds of metals selected from a groupincluding zinc, copper and silver.

Further, the water absorber according to the present invention includesa surface active agent in the water permeable bag type member. Thesurface active agent is an anionic surface active agent and/or anon-ionic surface active agent.

Magnetic materials are composed of waste, or the magnetic materials areformed by binding waste.

Further, in the water absorber according to the present invention, thewater absorbent material including as a main component, a modifiedpolymer compound manufactured by introducing an acidic group to apolymer compound including acrylonitrile and at least one or more kindsof styrene and/or conjugated dienes obtained from wastes and themagnetic materials are included in the water permeable bag type member.

The water absorber further includes a supporter in the water permeablebag type member.

For the supporter, a flexible network member is used. The waterabsorbent material is supported by the supporter.

In the water absorber according to the present invention, solidmaterials of specific gravity of 1 or higher are put in the waterpermeable bag type member. The solid materials of specific gravity of 1or higher are composed of natural minerals. Further, the solid materialsof specific gravity of 1 or higher are composed of waste. Still further,the solid materials of the specific gravity of 1 or higher are formed bybinding waste.

The water absorbent material includes a salt forming modified polymercompound manufactured by introducing an acidic group to the polymercompound including acrylonitrile and at least one or more kinds ofstyrene and/or conjugated dienes to form a salt together with metal. Themetal is composed of one or two or more kinds of metals selected from agroup including zinc, copper and silver.

In the water absorber according to the present invention, a surfaceactive agent is put in a water permeable bag type member.

The surface active agent is an anionic surface active agent and/or anon-ionic surface active agent.

Magnetic materials are composed of waste or formed by binding waste.

Additionally, according to a method for producing a water absorber ofthe present invention, a water absorbent material and materials to besucked are put in a water permeable bag type member. The materials to besucked are magnetic materials. The water absorbent material uses as amain component a modified polymer compound manufactured by introducingan acidic group to a polymer compound including acrylonitrile and atleast one or more kinds of styrene and/or conjugated dienes.

In the method for producing a water absorber according to the presentinvention, a supporter is put in the water permeable bag type member.For the supporter, a flexible network member is used.

Further, the water absorbent material uses as a main component amodified polymer compound manufactured by introducing an acidic group toa polymer compound including acrylonitrile and at least one or morekinds of styrene and/or conjugated dienes.

The polymer compound including acrylonitrile and at least one or morekinds of styrene and/or conjugated dienes is obtained from wastes.

In the method for producing a water absorber according to the presentinvention, solid materials of specific gravity of 1 or higher are put inthe water permeable bag type member.

The solid materials of specific gravity of 1 or higher are composed ofnatural minerals or waste. The solid materials are further formed bybinding waste.

The water absorbent material employed in the method for producing awater absorber according to the present invention includes a saltforming modified polymer compound manufactured by introducing an acidicgroup to a polymer compound including acrylonitrile and at least one ormore kinds of styrene and/or conjugated dienes to form a salt togetherwith metal. Here, the metal is composed of one or two or more kinds ofmetals selected from a group including zinc, copper and silver.

In the method for producing a water absorber according to the presentinvention, a surface active agent is put in the water permeable bag typemember. For the surface active agent, an anionic surface active agentand/or a non-ionic surface active agent are used.

Magnetic materials are composed of waste and formed by binding waste.

Further, in the method for producing a water absorber according to thepresent invention, the water permeable bag type member is filled with awater absorbent material including as a main component a modifiedpolymer compound manufactured by introducing an acidic group to thepolymer compound including acrylonitrile and at least one or more kindsof styrene and/or conjugated dienes obtained from wastes and magneticmaterials.

In the method for producing a water absorber according to the presentinvention, a supporter is put in the water permeable bag type member.For the supporter, a flexible network member is used. The waterabsorbent material is supported by the supporter.

In the method for producing a water absorber according to the presentinvention, solid materials of specific gravity of 1 or higher are put inthe water permeable bag type member. The solid materials with which thewater permeable bag type member is filled are composed of naturalminerals of specific gravity of 1 or higher, or waste and further formedby binding waste.

The water absorbent material includes a salt forming modified polymercompound manufactured by introducing an acidic group to a polymercompound including acrylonitrile and at least one or more kinds ofstyrene and/or conjugated dienes obtained from wastes forms a salttogether with metal. Here, the metal is composed of one or two or morekinds of metals selected from a group including zinc, copper and silver.

In the method for producing a water absorber according to the presentinvention, a surface active agent is put in the water permeable bag typemember. For the surface active agent, an anionic surface active agentand/or a non-ionic surface active agent are used.

Magnetic materials are composed of waste or formed by binding waste.

Further, in the water absorber according to the present invention, amodified polymer compound and a supporter are put in the water permeablebag type member, the modified polymer compound being manufactured byintroducing an acidic group to the polymer compound includingacrylonitrile and at least one or more kinds of styrene and/orconjugated dienes is obtained from wastes and a supporter. For thesupporter, a flexible network member is used. The modified polymercompound is supported by the supporter.

The solid materials of specific gravity of 1 or higher used in the waterabsorber according to the present invention are included in the waterpermeable bag type member. The solid materials of specific gravity of 1or higher are composed of natural minerals, waste, formed by bindingwaste, or composed of waste having a magnetism.

Further, in the method for producing a water absorber according to thepresent invention, a modified polymer compound and a supporter are putin the water permeable bag type member, the modified polymer compoundbeing manufactured by introducing an acidic group to a polymer compoundincluding acrylonitrile and at least one or more kinds of styrene and/orconjugated dienes is obtained from wastes and a supporter. For thesupporter, a flexible network member is employed. The modified polymercompound is supported by the supporter.

Solid materials of specific gravity of 1 or higher used in the methodfor producing a water absorber according to the present invention areincluded in the water permeable bag type member. The solid materials arecomposed of natural mineral, waste, formed by binding waste, or composedof waste having a magnetism.

Further, in the method for producing a water absorber according to thepresent invention, a modified polymer compound and a supporter are putin the water permeable bag type member, the modified polymer compoundbeing manufactured by introducing an acidic group to a polymer compoundincluding acrylonitrile and at least one or more kinds of styrene and/orconjugated dienes to form a salt together with metal and a supporter.For the supporter, a flexible network member is employed. The modifiedpolymer compound is supported by the supporter. Here, the metal iscomposed of one or two or more kinds of metals selected from a groupincluding zinc, copper and silver.

In the water absorber according to the present invention, solidmaterials having specific gravity of 1 or higher are put in the waterpermeable bag type member. The solid materials having the specificgravity of 1 or higher used in the water absorber according to thepresent invention are composed of natural minerals, waste, formed bybinding waste, or composed of waste having a magnetism.

Further, in the water absorber according to the present invention, amodified polymer compound and a supporter are put in the water permeablebag type member, the modified polymer compound being manufactured byintroducing an acidic group to the polymer compound includingacrylonitrile and at least one or more kinds of styrene and/orconjugated dienes is obtained from wastes forms a salt together withmetal and a supporter. The polymer compound is composed of wastes. Forthe supporter, a flexible network member is used. The modified polymercompound is supported by the supporter. Here, the metal is composed ofone or two or more kinds of metals selected from a group including zinc,copper and silver.

In the water absorber according to the present invention, solidmaterials having specific gravity of 1 or higher are included in thewater permeable bag type member. The solid materials of specific gravityof 1 or higher used in the water absorber according to the presentinvention are composed of natural minerals, waste, formed by bindingwaste, or composed of waste having a magnetism.

Further, in the method for producing a water absorber according to thepresent invention, the water permeable bag type member a modifiedpolymer compound and a supporter are put in the water permeable bag typemember in which an acidic group introduced to the polymer compoundincluding acrylonitrile and at least one or more kinds of styrene and/orconjugated dienes to form a salt together with metal and a flexiblenetwork member. The flexible network member is used as a supporter. Themodified polymer compound is supported by the supporter. Here, the metalis composed of one or two or more kinds of metals selected from a groupincluding zinc, copper and silver.

In the method for producing a water absorber according to the presentinvention, solid materials having specific gravity of 1 or higher areincluded in the water permeable bag type member. The solid materials ofspecific gravity of 1 or higher used in the water absorber according tothe present invention are composed of natural minerals, waste, formed bybinding waste, or composed of waste having a magnetism.

Further, in the method for producing a water absorber according to thepresent invention, a modified polymer compound and a supporter are putin the water permeable bag type member, the modified polymer compoundbeing manufactured by introducing an acidic group to the polymercompound including acrylonitrile and at least one or more kinds ofstyrene and/or conjugated dienes is obtained from wastes forms a salttogether with metal and a supporter. For the polymer compound, wastesare used. For the supporter, a flexible network member is used. Themodified polymer compound is supported by the supporter. Here, the metalis composed of one or two or more kinds of metals selected from a groupincluding zinc, copper and silver.

In the method for producing a water absorber according to the presentinvention, solid materials having specific gravity of 1 or higher areincluded in the water permeable bag type member. The solid materials ofspecific gravity of 1 or higher used in the method for producing a waterabsorber according to the present invention are composed of naturalminerals, waste, formed by binding waste, or composed of waste having amagnetism.

Further, in the water absorber according to the present invention, amodified polymer compound and a surface active agent and a supporter arepacked in the water permeable bag type member, the modified polymercompound manufactured by introducing an acidic group to the polymercompound including acrylonitrile and at least one or more kinds ofstyrene and/or conjugated dienes. For the supporter, a flexible networkmember is used. The modified polymer compound is supported by thesupporter. For the surface active agent, there are used an anionicsurface active agent and/or a non-ionic surface active agent. The solidmaterials of specific gravity of 1 or higher used in the water absorberaccording to the present invention are composed of natural minerals,waste, formed by binding waste, or composed of waste having a magnetism.

Further, in the water absorber according to the present invention, thewater permeable bag type member a modified polymer compound and asupporter is put in the water permeable bag type member, the modifiedpolymer compound being manufactured by introducing an acidic group tothe polymer compound including acrylonitrile and at least one or morekinds of styrene and/or conjugated dienes obtained from wastes, asurface active agent and a supporter. For the supporter, a flexiblenetwork member is used. The modified polymer compound is supported bythe supporter. For the surface active agent, there are used an anionicsurface active agent and/or a non-ionic surface active agent. Solidmaterials of specific gravity of 1 or higher are included in the waterpermeable bag type member. The solid materials of specific gravity of 1or higher used in the water absorber according to the present inventionare composed of natural minerals, waste, formed by binding waste, orcomposed of waste having a magnetism.

Further, in the method for producing a water absorber according to thepresent invention, a modified polymer compound and a surface activeagent and a supporter are packed in the water permeable bag type member,the modified polymer compound manufactured by introducing an acidicgroup to the polymer compound including acrylonitrile and at least oneor more kinds of styrene and/or conjugated dienes. For the supporter, aflexible network member is used. The modified polymer compound issupported by the supporter. For the surface active agent, there are usedan anionic surface active agent and/or a non-ionic surface active agent.Solid materials of specific gravity of 1 or higher are included in thewater permeable bag type member. The solid materials of specific gravityof 1 or higher used in the method for producing the water absorberaccording to the present invention are composed of natural minerals,waste, formed by binding waste, or composed of waste having a magnetism.

Further, in the method for producing a water absorber according to thepresent invention, a modified polymer compound and a supporter is put inthe water permeable bag type member, the modified polymer compound beingmanufactured by introducing an acidic group to the polymer compoundincluding acrylonitrile and at least one or more kinds of styrene and/orconjugated dienes obtained from wastes, a surface active agent and asupporter. For the supporter, a flexible network member is used. Themodified polymer compound is supported by the supporter. For the surfaceactive agent, there are used an anionic surface active agent and/or anon-ionic surface active agent. Solid materials of specific gravity of 1or higher are included in the water permeable bag type member. The solidmaterials of specific gravity of 1 or higher used in the method forproducing the water absorber according to the present invention arecomposed of natural minerals, waste, formed by binding waste, orcomposed of waste having a magnetism.

The present invention relates to a method for conveying a water absorberin which the water absorber including a water absorbent material andmaterials to be sucked in a water permeable bag type member by sucking.The water absorber including the water absorbent material and magneticmaterials in the water permeable bag type member is magnetically sucked.

The water absorbent material includes as a main component, a modifiedpolymer compound manufactured by introducing an acidic group to apolymer compound including acrylonitrile and at least one or more kindsof styrene and/or conjugated dienes. The water absorber further includesa supporter in the water permeable bag type member. For the supporter, aflexible network member is used.

The water absorbent material includes, as a main component, a modifiedpolymer compound manufactured by introducing an acidic group to apolymer compound including acrylonitrile and at least one or more kindsof styrene and/or conjugated dienes and the water absorbent material issupported by the supporter.

The polymer compound including acrylonitrile and at least one or morekinds of styrene and/or conjugated dienes is obtained from wastes.

The water absorber further includes solid materials of specific gravityof 1 or higher in the water permeable bag type member. The solidmaterials of specific gravity of 1 or higher used in the method forconveying a water absorber according to the present invention arecomposed of natural minerals, waste, formed by binding waste, or wastehaving a magnetism.

The water absorbent material includes a salt forming modified polymercompound manufactured by introducing an acidic group to the polymercompound including acrylonitrile and at least one or more kinds ofstyrene and/or conjugated dienes to form a salt together with metal.Here, the metal is composed of one or two or more kinds of metalsselected from a group including zinc, copper and silver.

Further, a surface active agent is included in the water permeable bagtype member. For the surface active agent, there are employed an anionicsurface active agent and/or a non-ionic surface active agent.

Magnetic materials are composed of waste, or the magnetic materials areformed by binding waste.

The present invention concerns a method for conveying a water absorberin which the water absorber including a water absorbent material having,as a main component, a modified polymer compound manufactured byintroducing an acidic group to a polymer compound includingacrylonitrile and at least one or more kinds of styrene and/orconjugated dienes obtained from wastes and magnetic materials in a waterpermeable bag type member is magnetically sucked. The water absorberfurther includes a supporter in the water permeable bag type member. Forthe supporter, a flexible network member is used. The water absorbentmaterial is supported by the supporter. The water absorber furtherincludes solid materials of specific gravity of 1 or higher in the waterpermeable bag type member. Solid materials of specific gravity of 1 orhigher used in the method for conveying a water absorber according tothe present invention are composed of natural minerals, waste, formed bybinding waste, or waste having a magnetism.

The water absorbent material includes a salt forming modified polymercompound manufactured by introducing an acidic group to the polymercompound including acrylonitrile and at least one or more kinds ofstyrene and/or conjugated dienes obtained from wastes forms a salttogether with metal. Here, the metal is composed of one or two or morekinds of metals selected from a group including zinc, copper and silver.

Further, the water absorber includes a surface active agent in the waterpermeable bag type member. For the surface active agent, there areemployed an anionic surface active agent and/or a non-ionic surfaceactive agent.

As magnetic materials, waste or materials formed by binding waste isemployed.

Still further objects of the present invention and specific advantagesobtained by the present invention will be more apparent hereinafter fromthe description of embodiments by referring to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a water absorber according to the presentinvention when the water absorber is dried.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the water absorber according to thepresent invention when the water absorber absorbs water to swell.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a water absorber including a supporteraccording to the present invention when the water absorber is dried.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the water absorber including the supporteraccording to the present invention when the water absorber absorbs waterto swell.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a conveying manner when a water absorberaccording to the present invention is magnetically sucked and conveyed.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a conveying manner when a water absorberaccording to the present invention is magnetically sucked and conveyed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail byreferring to the drawings. As a water absorber for removing unnecessarywater or a water absorber having a function of a sandbag to which thepresent invention is applied, a water absorber 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 to4 will be described below.

The water absorber 1 for removing unnecessary water or the waterabsorber 1 having a function as a sandbag comprises a water permeablebag type member 2, a water absorbent material 3 and materials 4 to besucked included in the water permeable bag type member 2. Morespecifically, the water absorber 1 for removing unnecessary water or thewater absorber 1 having a function of a sandbag comprises, in its driedstate, the water absorbent material 3 a and the materials 4 to be suckedas shown in a sectional view of FIG. 1, and comprises, in its waterabsorbing and swelling state, the water absorbent material 3 b includinga modified polymer compound and the materials 4 to be sucked as shown ina sectional view of FIG. 2. Further, a sectional view of a waterabsorber 1 including a supporter 5 according to the present invention inits dried state is shown in FIG. 3 and a sectional view of the waterabsorber 1 in its water absorbing and swelling state is shown in FIG. 4.

As the water absorbent material 3 according to the present invention, awater absorbent material well-known in itself may be employed.Preferably, is used a water absorbent material including, as a maincomponent, a modified polymer compound manufactured by introducing anacidic group to a polymer compound including acrylonitrile and at leastone or more kinds of styrene and/or conjugated dienes.

As the polymer compounds used in the present invention and includingacrylonitrile and at least one or more kinds of styrene and/orconjugated dienes, an acrylonitrile unit is included within a range ofabout 5 to 80 mole % in the polymer compound, preferably included withina range of about 10 to 60 mole % and more preferably included within arange of about 20 to 50 mole %. For allowing a modified polymer compoundobtained by acidifying the polymer compound to effectively function as awater absorbent polymer compound without substantially showing a watersolubility, the above-described content of acrylonitrile unit ispreferably about 5 mole % or more. Further, in order to prevent thepolymer compound from being cured, to allow the polymer compound to beeasily pulverized to small pieces in a producing step of the waterabsorber according to the present invention, however, to prevent thecontent of styrene and/or conjugated diene units in the polymer compoundfrom being reduced and the introduction rate of an acidic group frombeing lowered, and to achieve a water absorptivity especially foraqueous electrolyte solution, the above-described content is preferablyabout 80 mole % or lower.

As the polymer compounds used in the present invention, are desirablyemployed polymer compounds including at least one or more kinds ofstyrene and/or conjugated dienes as component units exceptacrylonitrile, such as butadiene or isoprene, of about 20 to 95 mole %,preferably of about 40 to 85 mole % and more preferably of about 50 to80 mole %.

These component units such as the styrene and/or conjugated dienes arerequired in order to introduce an acidic group to the polymer compoundby acidifying the polymer compound and to improve the water absorptivityof the absorbent polymer compound to be purified, especially a waterabsorptivity to the aqueous electrolyte solution.

When a prescribed amount of acrylonitrile and styrene and/or conjugateddienes is included in the polymer compound used in the presentinvention, still another component units may be included.

Although these other component units are not especially limited tospecific materials, there may be enumerated, for example, maleicanhydride, itaconic anhydride, α-methyl styrene, acrylamide,methacrylamide, acrylic acid or acrylic ester, methacrylic acid ormethacrylic ester, vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, ethylene, propylene,butylene, vinyl pyrrolidone, or vinyl pyridine, etc. Acrylic ester andmethacrylic ester preferably have the number of carbons of about 1 to 10and may be saturated or unsaturated.

The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the polymer compound used inthe present invention is ordinarily located within a range of about1,000 to 20,000,000, and preferably within a range of about 10,000 to1,000,000. For allowing a modified polymer compound obtained when thepolymer compound is acidified to effectively function as a waterabsorbent polymer compound without substantially showing a watersolubility, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) is preferably about1,000 or more. Further, in order to efficiently advance an acidifyingreaction for introducing an acidic group to a copolymer and reduce areaction time, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) is preferablyabout 20,000,000 or smaller.

As the polymer compounds employed in the present invention, there arepreferably used polymer materials including, for instance, ABS(acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resin, SAN (styrene-acrylonitrile)resin, ASA (acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylamide) resin, ACS(acrylonitrile-chlorinated polyethylene-styrene) resin, AAS(acrylonitrile-acrylate-styrene) resin, NBR (acrylonitrile-butadiene)rubber, etc. These materials may be newly produced and unused granularresins (virgin pellets) or used resins formed for the purpose of aspecific use or wastes. As the wastes, there are exemplified, forexample, waste products (incomplete products) in the process ofproduction of resin materials or molded products, casings or variouskinds of parts materials which have been already used for electricproducts or motor vehicles, etc., tubes or hoses, or various kinds ofcushioning materials, etc. The used resins mean resins recovered fromthe above-mentioned wastes, etc. The wastes in the present invention maybe any of those discharged from factories, shops, homes, etc. Since mostof the wastes, for instance, incomplete products, or the like recoveredfrom the factories or the shops have compositions relatively moreuniform than general waste from the homes or the like, they are moredesirable.

As the polymer compounds used in the present invention, alloy materialsof the above-described polymer materials and other resins may be used.For instance, there may be employed the used resins or the wastesincluding well-known addition agents such as a pigment, a stabilizer, aflame retarder, a plasticizer, a filler, other adjuvants, etc. Further,the mixture of the used resins or the wastes with the unused materials(virgin materials) may be used.

As other resins to be mixed with the polymer materials in the alloymaterials, resins which have been well-known in themselves may be usedand such resins as not to interfere with the acidifying process of thepresent invention are preferable. As such resins, there may bespecifically exemplified, for instance, polyphenylene ether,polycarbonate, polyphenylene sulfide, polyethylene terephthalate,polybutylene terephthalate, polyamide, polyester, etc. The amount ofmixture of these resins is preferably about 60 wt % or lower relative tothe polymer materials in order to smoothly advance the acidifyingprocess.

The polymer compound employed in the present invention is preferablypulverized to small pieces for convenience in the acidifying process tointroduce an acidic group thereto. Methods for pulverizing the polymercompound into small pieces are not especially limited specific methods,however, there may be exemplified the following methods. For instance,there is used a method in which the polymer compound is pulverized by apulverizer, and then, the small pieces are screened. Specially, when thepolymer compound includes a rubber component, the polymer compound ispreferably pulverized after a freezing treatment. Further, there may beused a method that the polymer compound is heated and melted topelletize it into very small beads. The size of the small pieces of thepolymer compound is preferably set to about 3.5 meshes or smaller. Theabove-described range is desirable to increase the surface area of amaterial made to react, easily perform an acidifying reaction, decreasea reaction time, increase acidic group density in forming the acidicgroup in the acidifying process and improve a water absorptivity(performance as the water absorbent polymer compound).

When inorganic materials are further included in the polymer compound ofthe present invention, the acidifying process for introducing the acidicgroup thereto is accelerated. That is, the periphery of an inorganicpigment is liable to be acidified and the inorganic pigment departs fromthe polymer compound upon reaction and an acid easily filtrates into thesurface of the polymer compound. Accordingly, the acidic group densityis increased in forming the acidic group due to the acidifying processto improve the water absorptivity. Therefore, in the present invention,the inorganic materials are preferably included in the polymer compoundof the present invention.

As the inorganic materials, carbon black or/and titanium oxide arepreferable. These carbon black and titanium oxide may be thoseordinarily used as, for instance, a coloring agent, a reinforcing agentand an electrically conductive additive. Specifically, the carbon blackmay be produced by any method of, for instance, a channel method, afurnace method, and a thermal method. The methods may be independentlyused or a plurality of them may be used at the same time. The averageparticle diameter is ordinarily about 0.005 to 100 m, and preferably,about 0.01 to 10 m. Further, the titanium oxide may be any type of arutile, an anatase and an ultrafine titanium. These types arerespectively independently used or a plurality of them may be used atthe same time. The average particle diameter is ordinarily about 0.01 to50 m, preferably, about 0.05 to 10 m.

The content of the carbon black or the titanium oxide included in thepolymer compound is about 0.01 to 20 wt % and preferably about 0.05 to10 wt % relative to the weight of the polymer compound in a dry state.

As a method for introducing an acidic group to the polymer compound,there is exemplified, for instance, a method for acidifying the polymercompound. The polymer compound is acidified to be converted to a waterabsorbent polymer compound. More specifically, while a part ofacrylonitrile in the polymer compound becomes an amide group, a carboxylgroup, or a salt thereof, the acidic group is introduced to styrene orconjugated dienes.

As acids utilized for the acidifying process in the present invention,inorganic acids capable of introducing an acidic group to styrene orconjugated dienes are preferable. As the inorganic acids, there arespecifically exemplified, for instance, a sulfonation agent such asconcentrated sulfuric acid, sulfuric anhydride, fuming sulfuric acid,chlorosulfonic acid, etc., or nitric acid, fuming nitric acid,phosphoric acid, phosphorus chloride, phosphorus oxide, etc.Concentrated sulfuric acid, sulfuric anhydride, fuming sulfuric acid andchlorosulfonic acid are preferable among them. Specially, theconcentrated sulfuric acid of about 70 wt % or higher is morepreferable. These inorganic acids may be respectively independently usedor two or more kinds of inorganic acids may be used at the same time.When the inorganic acids are used at the same time, they may be mixedtogether, or gradually added. For instance, the polymer compound isinitially treated with concentrated sulfuric acid, and then, sulfuricanhydride is added to the treated polymer compound to obtain a waterabsorbent polymer compound stable in form. The above-described polymercompound can be obtained, because a nitrile part of the polymer compoundfirstly mainly undergoes a hydrolytic reaction due to the treatment withthe concentrated sulfuric acid, then, styrene or conjugated diene partsare forcedly sulfonate-bridged due to the treatment with sulfuricanhydride so that a water absorbent polymer compound having a highdegree of bridging can be obtained. Accordingly, the above-describedacidifying process is one of the preferred embodiments of acidifyingprocesses in the present invention.

The amount (charge) of inorganic acids used for the reaction is about 1to 500 times, preferably about 10 to 200 times as much as the weight ofthe polymer compound.

To promote the production of an acidic group and to provide anabsorptivity by increasing the rate of introduction of the acidic groupto styrene or conjugated dienes or the hydrolytic reactivity of anacrylonitrile group, the charge of the inorganic acids is preferablyabout 1 time as much as the weight of the polymer compound. Further, thecharge of the inorganic acids is preferably about 500 times as much asthe weight of the polymer compound from the viewpoints of profitabilityand workability.

The acidifying process in the present invention may be carried out ininorganic acid or may be carried out in a system using an organicsolvent.

As organic solvents usable in the acidifying process, there may beenumerated, for instance, aliphatic halogenated hydrocarbons having thenumber of carbons of about 1 to 2, preferably, 1,2-dichloroethane,chloroform, dichloromethane, 1,1-dichloroethane, etc., aliphatic cyclichydrocarbons, preferably, cyclohexane, methyl cyclohexane, cyclopentane,etc., nitromethane, nitrobenzene, sulfur dioxide, paraffinichydrocarbons, preferably, having the number of carbons of about 1 to 7,acetonitrile, carbon disulfide, tetrahydrofuran, tetrahydropyran,1,2-dimethoxyethane, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, thiophene, etc.Aliphatic halogenated hydrocarbons having the number of carbons of about1 to 2, aliphatic cyclic hydrocarbons, nitromethane, nitrobenzene,sulfur dioxide are preferable. These solvents may be independently usedor a plurality of solvents may be mixed together to use the mixture. Inthe mixed solvent, the mixture ratio is not especially limited to aspecific value.

The weight of these organic solvents is preferably lower than about 200times as much as the weight of the polymer compound. The above-describedrange is preferable in order to enhance the reactivity of the acidifyingprocess and in economical point of view.

In the acidifying process, Lewis bases may be used as desired. As theLewis bases, there may be exemplified, for instance, alkyl phosphatesuch as triethyl phosphate, trimethyl phosphate, etc., dioxane, aceticanhydride, ethyl acetate, ethyl palmitate, diethyl ether, thioxane, etc.

In this connection, the inorganic acids or the organic solvents usedonce in the acidifying process may be recovered as they are after thereaction is completed, or recovered by a method such as sampling ordistilling and reused for a reaction.

In the present invention, the polymer compound is subjected to theacidifying process to introduce the acidic group to styrene and/orconjugated dienes and to convert a nitrile group to an amide group orcarboxyl group due to a hydrolytic reaction in an acrylonitrile unit, sothat the polymer compound is converted to a modified polymer compoundhaving a water absorptivity (water absorbent polymer compound).

As the acidic groups (ionic groups) introduced to styrene or conjugateddiene units by the acidifying process, there may be specificallyenumerated a sulfonic group which may form salts expressed by a formula—SO₃M (in the formula, M designates a hydrogen atom or cation of metalsuch as sodium, potassium, etc.), a substituent group which may formsalts expressed by a formula —PO(OM₁) (OM₂) or a formula —CH₂PO(OM₁)(OM₂) (in the formulas, M₁ and M₂ are the same or different from eachother and have the same meaning as the above-described M), —NO₂, etc. Inaddition, there may be exemplified a sulfate group which may form saltsexpressed by a formula —OSO₃M (in the formula, M designates the samemeaning as the above-described M), a phospho group which may form saltsexpressed by a formula —OPO(OM₁) (OM₂) (in the formula, M₁ and M₂ arethe same or different from each other and have the same meaning as theabove-described M), a hydroxyl group which may form salts expressed by aformula —OM₃ (in the formula, M₃ has the same meaning as theabove-described M), a carboxyl group which may form salts expressed by aformula —COOM₄ (in the formula, M₄ designates the same meaning as theabove-described M), etc. The sulfonic group or the salts thereof arepreferable among these acidic groups. Only one kind of these acidicgroups may be introduced to the polymer compound or two or more kinds ofacidic groups may be introduced to the polymer compound.

In order to satisfy a performance as the water absorbent polymercompound, the amount of the acidic group included in the modifiedpolymer compound is located within a range of about 5 to 95 mole %relative to all monomer units, and preferably within a range of about 10to 70 mole %. The amount of the acidic group is preferably about 95 mole% or lower relative to all the monomer units to realize effects that themodified polymer compound does not substantially show a water solubilityand effectively shows a water absorptivity. Further, in order toeffectively maintain the effect of water absorptivity, the amount of theacidic group is preferably set to about 5 mole % or higher relative toall the monomer units.

When the acidic group in the modified polymer compound is a sulfonicgroup, a copolymer is made to directly react with the sulfonation agentwell-known in itself such as concentrated sulfuric acid, sulfuricanhydride, fuming sulfuric acid, chlorosulfonic acid, etc., or thepolymer compound is made to react with the sulfonation agent while thepolymer compound is dissolved or dispersed in an organic solvent tointroduce the sulfonic group thereto, and the obtained material issubsequently neutralized by a basic compound (for instance, sodiumhydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc.) to be converted into sulfonate.

When the acidic group in the modified polymer compound is a —PO(OH)₂group, phosphorus trioxide is added to a solvent, and further, ahydrolysis is carried out to firstly introduce the —PO(OH)₂ group, andthen, the obtained material is made to react with a basic compound (forinstance, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc.) to obtain a saltof the —PO(OH)₂ group. When the acidic group in the modified polymercompound is a —CH₂PO(OH)₂ group or the salt thereof, the acidic groupcan be also introduced to the polymer compound by a method well-known initself.

When the acidic group in the modified polymer compound is a —NO₂ group,the mixed solution of sulfuric acid and nitric acid is made to reactwith the polymer compound to introduce the acidic group to the polymercompound.

As for a method for introducing a sulfate group which may form salts,the polymer compound preferably having unsaturated bonds is made toreact with aqueous sulfuric acid solution of high temperature to firstintroduce the sulfate group thereto, and then, the obtained material ismade to react with a basic compound (for instance, sodium hydroxide,potassium hydroxide, etc.) to obtain sulfate.

As for a method for introducing a carboxyl group which may form salts tothe polymer compound, n-butyl lithium is preferably added to the polymercompound having aromatic rings, and then, the obtained material is madeto react with dry ice to introduce the carboxyl group thereto. Then, theobtained material is made to react with a basic compound (for instance,sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc.) to obtain carboxylate.

As for a method for introducing a —OPO(OH)₂ group which may form saltsto the polymer compound, phosphorus trichloride is preferably added tothe polymer compound having unsaturated bonds and then hydrolyzed tofirstly introduce the —OPO(OH)₂ group thereto, and then, the obtainedmaterial is made to react with a basic compound (for instance, sodiumhydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc.) so that a salt of the —OPO(OH)₂group can be obtained.

As for a method for introducing a hydroxyl group which may form salts tothe polymer compound, the polymer compound having unsaturated bonds ispreferably made to react with aqueous sulfuric acid solution to firstlyintroduce the hydroxyl group thereto, and then, the obtained material ismade to react with a basic compound (for instance, sodium hydroxide,potassium hydroxide, etc.) so that a salt thereof can be obtained.

The acidifying reaction in the present invention is preferably performedunder the following conditions to introduce the prescribed amount ofacidic group to the copolymer.

Although the reaction temperature is not generally determined since itis greatly different depending on whether or not the organic solvent isused, the reaction temperature is usually located within a range ofabout 0 to 200° C. and preferably within a range of about 30 to 120° C.The reaction temperature is preferably about 0° C. or higher in order toaccelerate a reaction speed to some degree in view of practicability andto obtain a modified polymer compound as a water absorbent polymercompound having a good performance. Further, the reaction temperature ispreferably about 200° C. or lower in order to avoid the molecular chainsin the polymer compound from being cut due to a thermal decompositionand the modified polymer compound from being dissolved in water.

Although the reaction time in the acidifying process is not generallydetermined since it is greatly different depending on the reactiontemperature, the reaction time is generally about 1 minute to 40 hours,and preferably, about 5 minutes to 2 hours. The above-described range ispreferable to adequately advance the reaction and improve a productiveefficiency.

In the present invention, the products obtained in the reactions asmentioned above may undergo a post-treatment well-known in itself.Specifically, the products in the reactions are preferably washed. Asfor methods for washing the products of the reactions, there may beexemplified a method for directly adding the products of the reactionsto a large amount of water or aqueous basic solution, or a method forfirstly filtering the products of the reactions from a reaction system,and filling a large amount of water or aqueous basic solution with thefiltered products, etc. At this time, the nitrile group in the polymercompound is converted to an amide group or a carboxyl group and/or asalt thereof. As basic materials used in the aqueous basic solution,there may be enumerated compounds such as oxides, hydroxides,carbonates, acetates, sulfates, phosphates, etc. of alkali metals(sodium, lithium, potassium, etc.) or alkali earth metals (magnesium,calcium, etc.). In this case, in order to improve the absorbing effectof the modified polymer compound having a water absorptivity(particularly, an absorbing effect to aqueous electrolyte solution) anda deodorizing effect to ammonia gas, only a rinsing operation isdesirably carried out without neutralizing.

The product of the reaction obtained as described above is in a state ofgel. Then, the product is dried by solar drying, heating, reducingpressure, a centrifugal force, press, etc. to obtain a desired waterabsorbent polymer compound.

In accordance with the treating methods as described above, the nitrilegroup and the hydrolytic products thereof (amide group or carboxyl groupand/or salt thereof) and the water absorbent polymer compound having theacidic group can be obtained. The water absorbent polymer compoundincludes a nitrile group having no reaction to improve a waterinsolubility and gel strength and its water absorptivity (specially, tothe aqueous electrolyte solution) is improved due to the hydrolyticproduct of the nitrile group and the acidic group.

In the present invention, the products obtained in the above-describedacidifying process do not undergo a post-treatment and a dryingoperation, and the above-described post-treatments are carried out asdesired after the acidifying process. Then, a salt forming reaction iscarried out relative to the obtained acidic group as the product of theacidifying process to produce a salt forming modified polymer compoundhaving an antimicrobial property. In the present invention, the waterabsorber including such salt forming modified polymer compound in thewater absorbent material 3 shows one of preferred embodiments.

As described above, salts, preferably, salts with silver, copper, zinc,etc. are formed to endow the water absorber according to the presentinvention with the antimicrobial property. The endowment of theantimicrobial property makes it possible to suppress the adhesion andbreeding of microorganisms due to the repeated use of the waterabsorber, the discoloration of the water absorber and the offensive odorof the water absorber caused therefrom.

For forming a salt in the acidic group in the acidifying process, awell-known post-treatment is carried out as desired, and then, awell-known method may be employed. As a preferred embodiment, there maybe exemplified a method for firstly filtering the product of thereaction in the acidifying reaction system by a filter, then, washingthe product with a large amount of water and then, adding a salt ofmetal such as silver, copper or zinc thereto, or a method for directlyadding the reaction product system to the aqueous solution of metal saltsuch as silver, copper or zinc.

In the present invention, organic or inorganic salts or hydroxidesexcept the above-described metal salts can be used at the same time. Asthese salts or hydroxides, there may be exemplified compounds such ashydroxides, carbonates, acetates, sulfates, phosphates, organic salts ofammonium, alkali metals (for instance, sodium, lithium, potassium,etc.), alkali earth metals (for instance, magnesium, calcium, etc.) orother metals (for instance, aluminum, titanium, germanium, tin, iron,etc.).

Further, well-known antimicrobial materials can be properly used at thesame time. As the well-known antimicrobial materials, there may beexemplified inorganic antimicrobial materials, organic natural materialextractive antimicrobial materials, organoaliphatic compoundantimicrobial materials or organoaromatic compound antimicrobialmaterials, etc.

As the inorganic antimicrobial materials, there may be enumeratedchlorine compounds such as sodium hypochlorite, peroxides such ashydrogen peroxide, borate compounds such as boric acid and sodiumborate, copper compounds such as copper sulfate, zinc compounds such aszinc sulfate and zinc chloride, sulfur materials such as sulfur, calciumpolysulfide and hydrated sulfur, calcium compounds such as calciumoxide, silver compounds such as silver thiosulfate complex and silvernitrate and others such as iodine, sodium silicofluoride, etc.

As the organic natural material extractive antimicrobial materials,there may be exemplified hinokitiol, extract of a Moso-bamboo(Phyllostachys pubescens), creosote oil, etc.

As the organoaliphatic compound antimicrobial materials, there may beexemplified organic tin compounds such as tributyltin oxide,cyclopentane derivatives such as copper naphthenate, halides such asmethyl bromide, monohydric alcohol compounds such as ethyl alcohol andisopropyl alcohol, dihydric alcohol compounds such as 2-bromo-2-nitro-1,3-propanediol, saturated aldehyde such as formaldehyde andglutaraldehyde, carboxylic acid compounds such as sorbic acid andpotassium sorbate, ether compounds such as ethylene oxide and propyleneoxide, lactone compounds such as beta-oxypropiolactone, quaternaryammonium compounds such as 3-trimethoxysilyl propyl dimethyl octadecylammonium chloride, amino acid derivatives such as di(octylaminoethyl)glycine hydrochloride, sulfonic acid compounds such as sodium laurylsulfate, hydroxamic acid compounds such as bis-dequalinium acetate,cyanuric acid compounds such as chlorinated isocyanuric acid, cyanicacid compounds such as methyl isocyanate, sulfone compounds such asbis(trichloromethyl) sulfone, guanidine compounds such aspolyhexamethylene biguanidine hydrochloride, hydantoin compounds such as1, 3-dichloro-5, 5-dimethylhydantoin, dithiol compounds such as 5-oxy-3,4-dichloro-1, 2-dithiol, arsine compounds such as iron methylarsinate,phosphate compounds such as aluminum tris(ethylphosphonate),thiocarbamate compounds, etc.

As the organoaromatic compound antimicrobial materials, there areenumerated carbonate compounds such as bis(4-nitro phenyl) carbonate,quaternary ammonium compounds such as benzalkonium chloride andbenzethonium chloride, monoamine compounds such as 2,6-dichloro-4-nitroaniline, diamine compounds such as potassiumnitroethyl benzyl ethylenediamine, hydroxylamine compounds such asaluminum N-nitroso-N-cyclohexyl hydroxylamine, anilide compounds such asdihydro methyl oxathiin carboxanilide dioxide, imidazole compounds suchas 2-(4-thiazolyl) benzimidazole, benzothiazole compounds such as5-methyl-1, 2, 4-triazolo-3, 4-benzothiazole, triazine compounds such as2, 4-dichloro-6-chloro anilino-1, 3, 5-triazine, guanidine compoundssuch as chlorhexidine hydrochloride and chlorhexidine gluconate,pyridine compounds such as cetylpyridinium chloride, pyrimidinecompounds such as dimethylpyrazolyl hydroxyphenyl pyrimidine,halogenobenzene compounds such as 2, 2′-methylene bis-3, 4,6-trichlorophenol, benzenesulfonic acid compounds such as copperhydroxynonyl benzenesulfonate, benzenecarboxylic acid compounds such asbenzoic acid, mercaptocarboxylic acid compounds such as thimerosal,hydrocarboxylic acid compounds such as ethyl oxybenzoate, monohydricphenol compounds such as phenol and cresol, dihydric phenol compoundssuch as resorcinol, phenyl ether compounds such as phenoxyethanol,phenolate compounds such as pentachloro phenyl laurate, phenyl compoundssuch as triphenyltin oxide, biphenyl compounds such as diphenyl,monohydric naphthol such as beta-naphthol, naphthalene compounds such asmonochloro naphthalene, isoquinoline compounds such as dodecylisoquinolinium bromide, and others such as nitrile compounds,isothiazole compounds, thiadiazole compounds, halogenophenol compounds,pyrrole compounds, quinone compounds, quinoline compounds,organophosphate compounds, etc.

These reaction materials obtained as described above are in a state ofgel. Subsequently, they are dried by solar drying, heating, reducingpressure, a centrifugal force, press, etc. to obtain a desired saltforming modified polymer compound having a water absorptivity and anantimicrobial property.

In the present invention, as the water absorbent materials, materialshaving a simple water absorbing function may be employed. For thesematerials, well-known water absorbent materials can be used. As thesematerials, there may be exemplified, gel bridged materials such aspolyacrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylamide, polyoxyethylene,polyamino acid, poly(N-alkylvinylacetamide), gel bridged materials ofcopolymers having these units as main components, and reformed materialssuch as materials bridged or grafted to hydrophilic polymers includingpolysaccharides such as starch, cellulose, etc.

However, for the purpose of effectively using the used resins or thewastes of the polymer compound including acrylonitrile and styrene orconjugated dienes as materials with higher added values, theabove-described modified polymer compound is preferably used and thesalt forming modified polymer compound and the well-known waterabsorbent materials are preferably used together as desired.

In the present invention, the material 4 to be sucked is included aswell as the water absorbent material 3 in the water permeable bag typemember. As the material 4 to be sucked, a magnetic material havingmagnetism is preferably used. The magnetic materials are included asdescribed above, so that the water absorber 1 is magnetically sucked byusing a magnetic suction means 6 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 and can bemoved and conveyed by a conveyor or a crane or the like. Accordingly,the absorber can be advantageously conveyed to a risky place for personsto move and rapidly conveyed upon emergency. Further, the water absorbercan be advantageously identified due to its magnetism.

As the materials having the magnetism, there may be exemplifiedmaterials having ferrimagnetism, ferromagnetism or parasitic magnetism.More specifically, as the ferromagnetic materials, there may beexemplified iron, nickel, cobalt or alloys of them, alloys includingthem, transition metals or alloys of them, and alloys including rareearth elements. Further, as the ferrimagnetic materials, there may beexemplified magnetite, maghemite, hematite, manganese zinc ferrite,manganese nickel ferrite, barium ferrite, strontium ferrite, etc. Thesematerials may be composed of natural minerals, waste, or materialsformed by binding waste. More specifically, these materials can beobtained from inductor elements or speakers of used electric devices, orthe deflection yokes of televisions. Since these members are hardlytreated in the dismantling step of electronic devices, they areserviceable in view of effective use of them. Further, a technique forobtaining the ferrite using used dry cells is developed, which can beeffectively adapted to the present invention from the above describedpoint of view. These magnetic materials have specific gravity largerthan those of ordinary inorganic materials to increase the weight of thewater absorber, so that even the water absorber which absorbs watereffectively and relatively increases its weight.

As a material for the water permeable bag type member 2 of the presentinvention, a cloth composed of natural fibers or synthetic fibers isused. As the natural fibers, for instance, cotton, linen, silk, etc. maybe exemplified. As the synthetic fibers, there may be exemplified,polyamide, polyimide, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. Thematerial is preferably composed of a cloth formed by independentlyknitting or weaving these fibers or the mixture of them. However,according to circumstances, the material may be made of a nonwovenfabric. Further, according to circumstances, the material may becomposed of a film type member having pores passing through the frontand back thereof.

In the present invention, a supporter 5 may be included in the waterpermeable bag type member as well as the water absorbent material 3 andthe materials 4 to be sucked. This water absorber is one of preferredembodiments of the present invention.

The form or material of the supporter in the present invention which cansupport the modified polymer compound is not especially limited to aspecific form or material. Here, the “support” may indicate the adhesionor impregnation of the modified polymer compound to prevent the modifiedpolymer compound from being extremely inclined in the water permeablebag type member 2.

As the supporter, a network member having a flexibility is specificallypreferable. As the flexible network member, a cloth composed of naturalfibers or synthetic fibers is used. As materials of them, the samematerials as those of the water permeable bag type member 2 can be used.That is, as natural fibers, for instance, cotton, linen, silk, etc. maybe exemplified. As the synthetic fibers, there may be exemplified,polyamide, polyimide, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, etc. Thesefibers are preferably knitted or woven independently or in mixture toform a cloth. However, according to circumstances, the material may bemade of a nonwoven fabric or paper. Further, according to circumstances,the material may be composed of a film type member having pores passingthrough the front and back thereof.

In this case, the supporter, preferably, the network member having aflexibility desirably has an occupation rate of through holes higherthan that of the water permeable bag type member 2. Accordingly, thewater absorbent modified polymer compound is adhered to the supporter orthe supporter is impregnated with the water absorbent modified polymercompound, so that the water absorbent modified polymer compound can befixed to the supporter. Thus, when the water absorber according to thepresent invention is repeatedly used in such a manner that the waterabsorber which absorbs water is used, then dried after using and reused,the water absorbent modified polymer compound can be prevented frombeing biased to get out of shape in the water absorber. Thus, the numberof times of repeated uses can be advantageously increased.

As a method for fixing the water absorbent modified polymer compound tothe supporter as a component of the present invention by adhering themodified polymer compound to the supporter or impregnating the supporterwith the modified polymer compound, there may be exemplified a methodfor applying a water dispersion system of the water absorbent modifiedpolymer compound in a water absorbing and swelling state to thesupporter to dry it. As another method, there may be exemplified amethod for applying to the supporter a dispersion system in organicliquid of the water absorbent modified polymer compound under anon-swelling state to dry it. Thus, since the applying and dryingoperation can be simplified and consumed energy can be reduced, thismethod is preferably used in the present invention. Further, as a stillanother method, there may be employed a method for impregnating thesupporter with water or organic liquid, adhering the water absorbentmodified polymer compound in a dried state to the supporter and dryingthe liquid.

A sheet type member fixed to the supporter by adhering the waterabsorbent modified polymer compound to the supporter or impregnating thesupporter with the water absorbent modified polymer compound inaccordance with the above-described methods is obtained by performing acompressing operation with a static pressure press or a roller. In thiscase, the compressing operation can be carried out at room temperature,and more effectively carried out under a heated state at roomtemperature of higher.

In the present invention, solid materials of specific gravity of 1 orhigher can be included in the water permeable bag type member. Thus, thewater absorber according to the present invention has an advantage thatwhen the water absorber is used as a sandbag, the water absorber ishardly made to flow by water or the like especially during the initialstage of its installation. Accordingly, such a water absorber is one ofpreferred embodiments of the present invention.

As the solid materials of specific gravity of 1 or higher, there may beexemplified a solid material made of natural minerals, a solid materialmade of waste and a solid material formed by binding waste. As materialsof them, there are exemplified metal, ceramics, glass, or materialsformed by binding them together. For binding them, polymer materials ofspecific gravity of 1 or lower can be used. The polymer materials usedfor binding are not especially limited to specific materials. There areenumerated, for example, polystyrene, styrene-propylene copolymer,styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-vinyl chloride copolymer,styrene-vinyl acetate copolymer, styrene-acrylic ester copolymer,styrene-methacrylic ester copolymer, polyester resin, polyvinyl alcohol,water soluble resins such as casein, sodium polyacrylate, etc., alcoholsoluble resins such as copolymer nylon, methoxymethylated nylon, etc.,curing type resins forming three-dimensional network structures such aspolyurethane, melamine resin, epoxy resin, etc.

In the present invention, a surface active agent can be further includedin the water permeable bag type member. The surface active agent isprovided together with the modified polymer compound as described above,so that the wetness of the water absorber can be improved. As a result,the water absorbing speed of the water absorber is advantageouslyraised. Accordingly, such a water absorber is one of preferredembodiments of the present invention.

As the surface active agents used in the present invention, there aresuitably used an anionic surface active agent, a cationic surface activeagent, a non-ionic surface active agent and an amphoteric surface activeagent. As the anionic surface active agent, there may be exemplifiedfatty acid salts, higher alcohol sulfate salts, liquid fatty oil sulfatesalts, sulfates of aliphatic amine and aliphatic amide, fatty alcoholphosphate salts, sulfonates of dibasic fatty acid ester, fatty acidamide sulfonates, formalin condensed naphthalene sulfonates, etc. As thecationic surface active agent, there may be exemplified fatty acid aminesalts, quaternary ammonium salts, alkyl pyridinium salts, etc. As thenon-ionic surface active agent, there may be exemplified polyoxyethylenealkyl ether, polyoxyethylene alkylphenol ether, polyoxyethylene alkylester, sorbitan alkyl ester, polyoxyethylene sorbitan alkyl ester, etc.

As for the surface active agent used in the present invention, theanionic surface active agent and/or the non-ionic surface active agentare preferably employed, because they do not form a salt together withthe acidic group included in the modified polymer compound, andaccordingly, the water absorptivity of the modified polymer compound canbe more prevented from deteriorated.

Now, a first Example of the present invention will be described below.

Here, samples of the Examples as water absorbers according to thepresent invention were actually manufactured to perform an evaluationbetween the Examples and Comparative Examples. However, the presentinvention is not limited thereto.

[Production of Modified Polymer Compound]

ABS resin waste of 1 part by weight was added to concentrated sulfuricacid of (96 wt %) 30 parts by weight and allowed to react with sulfuricacid for 20 minutes at 80° C. As the ABS resin waste, a resin employedfor the black part of a guard panel of an 8 mm cassette tape, and havingthe content of styrene of 52 mole %, the content of acrylonitrile of 28mole % and the content of butadiene of 20 mole %, and further includingcarbon black of 2 wt % was pulverized by a freezing shredder. Materialsthus classified to 16 to 32 meshes were used.

After the reaction was finished, solid materials in a system werefiltered by a glass filter and the filtered solid materials were rinsed,then neutralized with 1 normal sodium hydroxide solution of 50 parts byweight, further rinsed with adequate water, taken out when pH offiltered liquid reached 8 or lower and dried by a circulating air dryerfor 2 hours at 105° C. According to these operations, black solidmaterials were obtained. It was recognized from the results of a sulfurelement analysis that a sulfonic group in the solid materials occupied33 mole % in all monomer units. The content of sodium had asubstantially equal mole ratio to sulfonic group (1.1). The black solidmaterials were pulverized to have the average particle diameter of 0.8mm.

[Production of Water Absorber]

A ferrite core (manganese zinc ferrite) of a flyback transformer whichwas generated in dismantling a used television and hardly disposed wasused as magnetic materials according to the present invention. Themagnetic materials were disposed in a flat state at equal intervalsbetween two slightly thick cotton cloths and stitches were puttherebetween to sew the two cotton cloths to each other so that thecotton cloth to which the ferrite core was sewed was manufactured.Further, one cotton cloth was combined with the cotton cloth tomanufacture a bag. The bag was filled with the water absorbent modifiedpolymer compound having a water absorptivity manufactured as mentionedabove and sealed.

The water absorber according to the present invention has a waterabsorptivity and water absorbing speed higher than those of aconventional water absorber used for removing unnecessary waterremaining due to a flood or the like or a water absorber having afunction as a sandbag, and can adequately meet such a case in which alarge amount of water needs to be absorbed or such a case in which waterneeds to be rapidly absorbed. Further, since the water absorber of thepresent invention can be applied not only to pure water, but also towater including electrolytes such as sea water, waste water, muddywater, etc., the water absorber of the present invention can be appliedto the raising an embankment in the seaside or the prevention andrestoration of the collapse of the embankment, or to the water leakagefrom factories.

Further, the present invention provides the water absorber especiallyuseful for a sandbag, since the water absorber according to the presentinvention is low both in weight and volume upon its transportation, canbe conveyed in large quantities and rapidly transported withoutdepending on human power and absorbs water upon its use to adequatelysatisfy a function of a form followability for weight, volume andoutline.

Now, a second Example of the present invention will be described below.

In the present invention, as the solid materials of specific gravity of1 or higher, materials having magnetism can be used. The water absorberaccording to the present invention can be advantageously magneticallysucked and moved and transported by a crane or the like due to thismagnetism. Further, the sandbag can be advantageously identified due tothis magnetism.

As the materials having the magnetism, there may be exemplifiedmaterials having ferrimagnetism, ferromagnetism or parasitic magnetism.More specifically, as the ferromagnetic materials, there may beexemplified iron, nickel, cobalt or alloys of them, alloys includingthem, transition metals or alloys of them, and alloys including rareearth elements. Further, as the ferrimagnetic materials, there may beexemplified magnetite, maghemite, hematite, manganese zinc ferrite,manganese nickel ferrite, barium ferrite, strontium ferrite, etc. Thesematerials may be composed of natural minerals, waste, or materialsformed by binding waste. These materials have specific gravity higherthan that of ordinary inorganic materials to greatly increase the weightof the water absorber. Thus, even the water absorber which absorbs watercan relatively effectively increase its weight. More specifically, thesematerials can be obtained from inductor elements or speakers of usedelectric devices, or the deflection yokes of televisions. Since thesemembers are hardly treated in the dismantling step of electronicdevices, they are serviceable in view of effective use of them.

Here, a sample of the Example as a water absorber according to thepresent invention was manufactured to perform an evaluation between theExample and the Comparative Example. However, it is to be understoodthat the present invention is not limited thereto.

ABS resin waste of 1 part by weight was added to concentrated sulfuricacid of (96 wt %) 30 parts by weight and allowed to react with sulfuricacid for 20 minutes at 80° C. As the ABS resin waste, a resin employedfor the black part of a guard panel of an 8 mm cassette tape, and havingthe content of styrene of 52 mole %, the content of acrylonitrile of 28mole % and the content of butadiene of 20 mole %, and further includingcarbon black of 2 wt % was pulverized by a freezing shredder. Materialsthus classified to 16 to 32 meshes were used.

After the reaction was finished, solid materials in a system werefiltered by a glass filter and the filtered solid materials were rinsed,then neutralized with 1 normal sodium hydroxide solution of 50 parts byweight, further rinsed with adequate water, taken out when pH offiltered liquid reached 8 or lower and dried by a circulating air dryerfor 2 hours at 105° C. According to these operations, black solidmaterials were obtained. It was recognized from the results of a sulfurelement analysis that a sulfonic group in the solid materials occupied33 mole % in all monomer units. The content of sodium had asubstantially equal mole ratio to the sulfonic group (1.1). The blacksolid materials were pulverized to have the average particle diameter of0.8 mm.

The black solid materials were dispersed in cyclohexane. A gauze wasdipped in the obtained solution and coated therewith and dried. Thus, asupporter was impregnated with a water absorbent modified polymercompound. The dried sheet type member was cut into pieces. The sheettype pieces pressed under static pressure at 100° C. were laminated anda bag formed by a slightly thick cotton cloth was filled with thelaminated pieces and sealed.

Comparative Example 1

The bag formed with the same cloth and the same shape as described abovewas filled with the above described pulverized black solid materials ofthe same weight which were prepared in the Example and sealed tomanufacture a water absorber.

The water absorbers obtained in the Example 2 and the ComparativeExample 1 were arranged on an even water surface having the depth ofwater of 1 cm. Water absorbing, swelling and solar drying operationswere repeated 5 times. As a result, a little bleeding of the modifiedpolymer compound was observed in the Comparative Example 1. Further,there was generated an unevenness in the distribution of the waterabsorbent modified polymer compound in the water absorber. On the otherband, in the water absorber of the Example, the bleeding of the waterabsorbent modified polymer compound was not observed. Further, there wasnot generated an unevenness in the distribution of the modified polymercompound in the water absorber.

Now, a third Example of the present invention will be described below.

In the present invention, solid materials of specific gravity of 1 orhigher can be included in the water permeable bag type member. In such away, when the water absorber of the present invention is used as asandbag, the water absorber is conveniently hardly made to flow by wateror the like especially during an initial stage of its installation.

As the solid materials of specific gravity of 1 or higher of the presentinvention, there may be exemplified a solid material made of naturalminerals, a solid material made of waste and a solid material formed bybinding waste. As materials of them, there are exemplified metal,ceramics, glass, or materials formed by binding them together. Forbinding them, polymer materials of specific gravity of 1 or lower can beused. The polymer materials used for binding are not especially limitedto specific materials. There are enumerated, for example, polystyrene,styrene-propylene copolymer, styrene-butadiene copolymer, styrene-vinylchloride copolymer, styrene-vinyl acetate copolymer, styrene-acrylicester copolymer, styrene-methacrylic ester copolymer, polyester resin,polyvinyl alcohol, water soluble resins such as casein, sodiumpolyacrylate, etc., alcohol soluble resins such as copolymer nylon,methoxymethylated nylon, etc., curing type resins formingthree-dimensional network structures such as polyurethane, melamineresin, epoxy resin, etc.

In this Example, as the solid materials of specific gravity of 1 orhigher, materials having magnetism can be used. The water absorberaccording to the present invention can be advantageously magneticallysucked and moved and transported by a crane or the like due to thismagnetism. Further, the sandbag can be advantageously identified due tothis magnetism.

The materials having the magnetism are the same as those described inthe second Example.

Here, a sample was actually manufactured in the Example as a waterabsorber according to the present invention to perform an evaluationbetween the Example and the Comparative Example. However, it is to beunderstood that the present invention is not limited thereto.

[Manufacture of Modified Polymer Compound having Antimicrobial Property]

SAN resin waste of 1 part by weight was added to concentrated sulfuricacid of (96 wt %) 30 parts by weight and allowed to react with sulfuricacid for 20 minutes at 80° C. As the SAN resin waste, a resin employedfor the transparent part of a guard panel of an 8 mm cassette tape, andhaving the content of styrene of 60 mole % and the content ofacrylonitrile of 40 mole % was pulverized by a freezing shredder.Materials thus classified to 16 to 32 meshes were used.

After the reaction was finished, solid materials in a system werefiltered by a glass filter and the filtered solid materials were rinsed,then neutralized with 1 normal sodium hydroxide solution of 50 parts byweight, and further rinsed with adequate water. This filtered cake wasdispersed in pure water of 1000 parts by weight. The 1.0 M aqueoussolution of copper sulfate pentahydrate of 10 parts by weight was addedto the cake, and the obtained product was adequately agitated, rinsedand filtered. The obtained material was dried for 3 hours at 100° C. bya circulating air dryer. According to these operations, brown solidmaterials were obtained. A sulfonic group included in the solidmaterials occupied 36 mole % in all monomer units. The content of copperwas 0.91 in terms of mole ratio to the sulfonic group.

[Manufacture of Modified Polymer Compound having Water absorptivity]

ABS resin waste of 1 part by weight was added to concentrated sulfuricacid of (96 wt %) 30 parts by weight and allowed to react with sulfuricacid for 20 minutes at 80° C. As the ABS resin waste, a resin employedfor the black part of a guard panel of an 8 mm cassette tape, and havingthe content of styrene of 52 mole %, the content of acrylonitrile of 28mole % and the content of butadiene of 20 mole %, and further includingcarbon black of 2 wt % was pulverized by a freezing shredder. Materialsthus classified to 16 to 32 meshes were used.

After the reaction was finished, solid materials in a system werefiltered by a glass filter and the filtered solid materials were rinsed,then neutralized with 1 normal sodium hydroxide solution of 50 parts byweight, further rinsed with adequate water, taken out when pH offiltered liquid reached 8 or lower and dried by a circulating air dryerfor 2 hours at 105° C. According to these operations, black solidmaterials were obtained. It was recognized from the results of a sulfurelement analysis that a sulfonic group in the solid materials occupied33 mole % in all monomer units. The content of sodium had asubstantially equal mole ratio to the sulfonic group (1.1). The blacksolid materials were pulverized to have the average particle diameter of0.8 mm.

[Manufacture of Water Absorber]

The modified polymer compound having the antimicrobial property of 5parts by weight was mixed with the modified polymer compound having thewater absorptivity of 95 parts by weight and the mixture was pulverized,and further uniformly mixed. The average particle diameter of thepulverized materials was 0.8 mm.

The pulverized materials were dispersed in cyclohexane. A gauze wasdipped in the obtained solution and coated therewith and dried. Themodified polymer compound was adhered to a supporter. A dried sheet typemember was cut into pieces. The sheet type pieces pressed under staticpressure at 100° C. were laminated and a bag formed by a slightly thickcotton cloth was filled with the laminated pieces and sealed to form awater absorber.

Comparative Example 2

The bag formed with the same cloth and the same shape as described abovewas filled with the above described pulverized black solid materials ofthe same weight which were prepared in the Example and sealed tomanufacture a water absorber.

The water absorbers obtained in the Example 3 and the ComparativeExample 2 were arranged on an even water surface having the depth ofwater of 1 cm. Water absorbing, swelling and solar drying operationswere repeated 5 times. As a result, a little bleeding of the waterabsorbent modified polymer compound was observed in the ComparativeExample 2. Further, there was generated an unevenness in thedistribution of the water absorbent modified polymer compound in thewater absorber. On the other hand, in the water absorber of the Example3, the bleeding of the water absorbent modified polymer compound was notobserved. Further, there was not generated an unevenness in thedistribution of the water absorbent modified polymer compound in thewater absorber.

Now, a fourth Example of the present invention will be described below.

Here, a sample was actually manufactured in the Example as a waterabsorber according to the present invention to perform an evaluationbetween the Example and the Comparative Example. However, it is to beunderstood that the present invention is not limited thereto.

[Manufacture of Water Absorbent Polymer Compound]

Since the components and conditions for preparing the water absorbentpolymer compound are the same as those of the above-described thirdExample, the repeated explanation of them will be omitted.

[Manufacture of Water Absorber]

The above-described black solid materials were pulverized and theaverage particle diameter of the pulverized materials was 0.8 mm. Thepulverized black materials were dispersed in cyclohexane. A gauze wasdipped in the obtained solution and coated therewith and dried. Thus,the water absorbent modified polymer compound was adhered to a flexiblenetwork member or the flexible network member was impregnated with thewater absorbent modified polymer compound. A dried sheet type member waspressed at 100° C. Sodium lauryl sulfate solution was atomized to boththe surfaces of the sheet type member and dried. The sheet type memberwas cut to pieces. The sheet type pieces were laminated. A bag formed bya slightly thick cotton cloth impregnated with sodium lauryl sulfate wasfilled with the laminated pieces and sealed. The content of sodiumlauryl sulfate was estimated to be located within a range of 1% to 0.1%as much as the weight of the water absorber in a dry state.

Comparative Example 3

A water absorber was manufactured in the same manner as that of theExample 4 only excluding the sodium lauryl sulfate as a surface activeagent in the fourth Example.

The water absorbers of the same forms obtained in the fourth Example andthe Comparative Example 3 were arranged on an even water surface havingthe depth of water of 1 cm to estimate the water absorbing and swellingspeed in accordance with the change of thickness of the water absorbers.Before the water absorbers were immersed in the water, they hadsubstantially the same thickness, however, the thickness after oneminute was 2.1 cm in the Example and 1.6 cm in the Comparative Example.Thus, it was apparently recognized that the use of the surface activeagent improved the water absorbing speed.

Now, a fifth Example of the present invention will be described.

Here, a sample was actually manufactured in the Example as a waterabsorber according to the present invention to perform an evaluationbetween the Example and the Comparative Example. However, it is to beunderstood that the present invention is not limited thereto.

[Manufacture of Modified Polymer Compound]

ABS resin waste of 1 part by weight was added to concentrated sulfuricacid of (96 wt %) 30 parts by weight and allowed to react with sulfuricacid for 20 minutes at 80° C. As the ABS resin waste, a resin employedfor the black part of a guard panel of an 8 mm cassette tape, and havingthe content of styrene of 52 mole %, the content of acrylonitrile of 28mole % and the content of butadiene of 20 mole %, and further includingcarbon black of 2 wt % was pulverized by a freezing shredder. Materialsthus classified to 16 to 32 meshes were used.

After the reaction was finished, solid materials in a system werefiltered by a glass filter and the filtered solid materials were rinsed,then neutralized with 1 normal sodium hydroxide solution of 50 parts byweight, further rinsed with adequate water, taken out when pH offiltered liquid reached 8 or lower and dried by a circulating air dryerfor 2 hours at 105° C. According to these operations, black solidmaterials were obtained. It was recognized from the results of a sulfurelement analysis that a sulfonic group in the solid materials occupied33 mole % in all monomer units. The content of sodium had asubstantially equal mole ratio to the sulfonic group (1.1). The blacksolid materials were pulverized to have the average particle diameter of0.8 mm.

[Manufacture of Water Absorber]

In forming a water absorber, materials to be used and forming conditionsare the same as those of the above-described first Example, andaccordingly, the description of them will be omitted.

Consequently, according to a method for conveying a water absorber ofthe present invention, the water absorbers used for removing unnecessarywater remaining due to water leakage or flood or the like or the waterabsorbers having functions as sandbags can be rapidly conveyed in largequantities at a time even to a risky place for persons to move.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

As described above, the present invention provides a water absorberespecially useful for a sandbag and suitable for a conveying methodaccording to the present invention, since the water absorber accordingto the present invention is low both in weight and volume upon itstransportation, and absorbs water upon its use to adequately satisfy afunction of a form followability for weight, volume and outline.Further, the water absorber according to the present invention can beadvantageously repeatedly used. Further, since a salt forming modifiedpolymer compound included in the water absorber according to the presentinvention has an antimicrobial property, the adhesion and breeding ofmicroorganisms due to the repeated use and the discoloration of thewater absorber and offensive odor from the water absorber causedtherefrom can be advantageously suppressed.

Additionally, the water absorber of the present invention has a waterabsorptivity and a water absorbing speed higher than the conventionalwater absorber used for removing unnecessary water remaining due towater leakage or flood or the water absorber having a function as asandbag and can adequately meet such a case in which a large amount ofwater needs to be absorbed or such a case in which water needs to berapidly absorbed. Further, since the water absorber of the presentinvention can be applied not only to pure water, but also to waterincluding electrolytes such as sea water, waste water, muddy water,etc., the water absorber of the present invention can be applied to theraising an embankment in the seaside or the prevention and restorationof the collapse of the embankment, or to the water leakage fromfactories.

The water absorber according to the present invention can bemanufactured by employing used resins or wastes, and further solidmaterials of specific gravity of 1 or higher included as desired can bemanufactured by using members hardly treated in the dismantling step ofelectronic devices. Accordingly, the water absorber can advantageouslycontribute to a global environment.

1. A water absorber comprising a modified polymer compound, solidmaterials having a manganese zinc ferrite core, a surface active agent,and a supporter in a water permeable bag type member, wherein themodified polymer compound comprises (a) acrylonitrile and at least oneor more kinds of (b) styrene and/or conjugated dienes and the modifiedpolymer compound is manufactured by introducing a sulfonic acidic groupby an acidifying process with sulfuric anhydride to the polymercompound.
 2. The water absorber according to claim 1 wherein the surfaceactive agent is selected from a group consisting of an anionic surfaceactive agent, a cationic surface active agent, a non-ionic surfaceactive agent, and an amphoteric surface active agent.
 3. The waterabsorber according to claim 2 wherein the surface active agent is ananionic surface active agent or a non-ionic surface active agent.
 4. Thewater absorber according to claim 1 further comprised of anantimicrobial material.
 5. The water absorber of claim 4 wherein theantimicrobial material is selected from the group consisting of aninorganic antimicrobial material, an organic natural material extractiveantimicrobial material, an organoaliphatic compound antimicrobialmaterial, and an organoaromatic compound antimicrobial material.
 6. Themethod for producing a water absorber according to claim 4 wherein thesurface active agent is an anionic surface active agent or a non-ionicsurface active agent.
 7. A method for producing a water absorbercomprising: introducing a modified polymer compound, solid materialshaving a manganese zinc ferrite core, a surface active agent, and asupporter into a water permeable bag type member, wherein the modifiedpolymer compound comprises (a) acrylonitrile and at least one or morekinds of (b) styrene and/or conjugated dienes and the modified polymercompound is manufactured by introducing a sulfonic acidic group by anacidifying process with sulfuric anhydride to the polymer compound. 8.The method for producing a water absorber according to claim 7 whereinthe surface active agent is selected from a group consisting of ananionic surface active agent, a cationic surface active agent, anon-ionic surface active agent, and an amphoteric surface active agent.9. The method of producing a water absorber according to claim 8,wherein the antimicrobial material is selected from the group consistingof an inorganic antimicrobial material, an organic natural materialextractive antimicrobial material, an organoaliphatic compoundantimicrobial material, and an organoaromatic compound antimicrobialmaterial.